I WOULD like to appeal to An Bord Pleanála,
the EPA, the State and Indaver to forgo any temptation to seek costs
from the concerned Cork citizens and their organisations who have
so valiantly worked to protect their environment from an incinerator
in Ringaskiddy.

In opposing the incinerator, citizens have fulfilled
their obligation under the UN’s Agenda 21 to be concerned and
vigilant on behalf of the environment and those who live in it and
rely on it.

Further, the Aarhus Convention guarantees them
the right to affordable justice in their stewardship of the environment.

The Government has delayed implementing the
Aarhus Convention thus leaving concerned citizens with little choice
but to risk exorbitant fees in defending the health and environment
of their community.

However, as Ireland is now past its deadline
for implementation, it would be a particular injustice to penalise
these Cork citizens, having already denied them the benefit of the
Aarhus Convention.

I call on the State and Indaver not to pursue
costs and to give full effect of the Aarhus Convention in Ireland
without delay.